Barbara S. Belcher

Barbara Sue Belcher, 78, died peacefully early Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Altercare of Bucyrus after weeks of failing health.

She was born July 1, 1945 near Baxter, Tennessee to the late Larnce and Ella (Bryant) Lewis. When Barbara was 5 years old, the Lewis family made their way to Bucyrus where she was an excellent student and graduated from BHS in 1963. She began working for Swan Rubber where she met a young man from West Virginia named Johnny Belcher. They fell in love and were married October 26, 1964, sharing 56 years of marriage when he preceded her in death on December 31, 2020.

Barbara was very reserved and mostly kept to herself. In her younger years, she enjoyed going to car races with her friend and liked dancing. She was a Cub Scout Den Mother when her son was young. At home, she helped Johnny with their garden and looked forward to hosting Sunday meals and visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She made delicious potato salad and, though not many were finished, Barb started a lot of crossword puzzles.

Barb’s working days came full circle, taking her from Swan, to being a homemaker, then Checkmate and Baja Boats, and finally back to Swan from which she retired. Although staying near home was most comfortable, Barbara did enjoy an occasional trip to Tennessee to visit her parents and other kin. In recent years, she also liked trips to Wendy’s for a cold Frosty. Her faith was personal, and she took comfort in reading and listening to the ministry of Dr. David Jeremiah.

Barbara is survived by daughter, Vicki (Jim) Ruttman; daughter-in-law, Diane Belcher; grandchildren, Shena Belcher, Kelsey Belcher (Johnny Malone), Sydney Ruttman, Scott (Jewel) Ruttman, and Samantha Ruttman; eight great grandchildren; sister, Linda Faye Reece; sisters and brother-in-law, Elsie Mitchem, Debra Deskins, and Danny Belcher; along with nieces, nephews, and extended family.

In addition to her parents and husband, Barbara was preceded in death by son, Neil Belcher; granddaughter, Danielle Belcher Higginbotham; and her beloved canine companion, Buck.

All services will be held on Tuesday, June 25 at Wise Funeral Service in Bucyrus. Family will receive friends from 12:30-1:25 pm and the funeral will begin at 1:30 pm with Pastor Joe Stafford officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made payable to the Humane Society Serving Crawford County or American Lung Association and given through the funeral home. Memories and photos can be shared on the guestbook.